All your internal departments have met, and the mandate to build or redesign your intranet is on the table. You've decided you want to outsource the development work, but how do you choose a vendor to build what you need and not get taken for a ride? What are the things to look for in a vendor that will indicate whether you're in for a match made in heaven or a train wreck?

Having introduced hundreds of clients to Web development agencies and experienced first-hand the preparations, pitch meetings, and final outcomes of scores of these encounters, I extracted eight important factors you should consider when evaluating a Web design agency to build your intranet:

Chemistry -- There's more to choosing a Web development firm than just judging a design portfolio, technical expertise, and prices. Chemistry between client and developer is one of the most significant factors in creating a successful working relationship/partnership.

When you meet with a potential development firm, assess if it is a good personality fit. Find out who your project manager will be, discuss your work style with the development team, and give them a sense of the personalities they'll be dealing with on the client side. Judge how comfortable you feel with the work style of the developers you're interviewing. If you get a sense of a development team's willingness to accommodate changes, as well as their long-term commitment to your project, you'll have an easier time dealing with the inevitable obstacles that arise during the development process.

Budget -- Work with a development firm that typically builds sites within your budget range. Remember to keep your desires in line with your budget. View the development team's work on similar projects and ask them to discuss how they can translate their past experience into a value-add for your project.

Aligned expectations -- Make sure expectations are realistic with the constraints of technology and your budget. Have a clear understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the technology your budget allows. A good development firm will guide you in the possibilities available and the costs involved. They should be willing to propose several solutions. Discuss and agree on components such as the timeline, process, and deliverables in writing, and you can be assured of a smoother process.

Expertise -- Choose a development firm that has the design capabilities and technological know-how to execute the site you want. Note if a Web development team has a special interest or experience in your industry. They should have prior experience in developing the type of site and tools your Web initiative will require. They should display enthusiasm for your project and actively engage in suggesting possibilities for you to consider. The firm you choose might also be able to assist you in modifying your business practices, help architect your information, and advise you strategically on technology. Try to determine if the agency is particularly interested in working with your company and helping you meet your goals, and is not merely taking on the project for a learning experience or financial reasons.

Process -- Be aware of who will be the designated point person on both the agency and client sides. Know whose input and approval is required to make each decision. The more effectively you can anticipate potential bottlenecks, the easier it will be to prevent them. Understand how the milestones will be laid out through the timeline of the project and who will be responsible for keeping the project on track. Make special note of deliverables and deadlines and make sure you feel comfortable with the ability of both sides to meet the agreed-upon timelines and goals.

Communication -- A good channel of communication between client and developer fosters an easier building process. Projects can get off track when clients and developers fail to communicate regularly. It's important that both parties have complete awareness of any obstacles, budget constraints, changes to scope, and scheduling problems that might arise throughout the course of the site development. If you're working with one or more outside developers or internal departments, you should evaluate the ability of the Web development team to interact with the different parties and their past experience in doing so.

References -- Speak to the firm's references, view the work they did for prior customers, and spend some time with those customers going over your ideas. Ask the firm about their client retention rate. Find out how their existing clients feel about the experience of working with them. Additionally, you might check on the development firm's financial stability. The Web development team can become your partner for future work, so be careful in the initial decision and find a firm that will be a long-term partner.

Scope -- When determining the goals of your project, make sure the objectives and limitations are clear; otherwise, the project might take on a life of its own and quickly outgrow its budget. "Scope Creep" is what happens when a project grows into something unexpectedly larger. It is also a result of a miscalculation or underestimation of the size of a project. A thorough, well-written scope of work is essential to a successful project.

After a careful evaluation of several Web development agencies of similar size and background, you should have a good sense of how your project might develop. There's no guarantee you will have a flawless building process; you will likely encounter at least a few obstacles along the way. But a careful vendor selection process will increase your chance of developing a successful site and establishing a fruitful, long-term partnership with a Web development agency with whom you enjoy working.